Alternative Rider

Ann Arbor mayoral candidate Steve Bean fielded a question recently that most candidates for public office aren't asked: Is your candidacy serious or merely symbolic? He says he's serious, though whether he has a shot at winning remains to be seen. Bean, an independent challenging Mayor John Hieftje in Tuesday's election, has run a deafeningly quiet campaign. And some might argue he hasn't waged the kind of aggressive battle it takes for an independent to upset a popular Democratic incumbent in a left-leaning town like Ann Arbor. As part of his campaign, he rode the bus around Ann Arbor on Wednesday. Read the store here.

The Mayor's Challenger

Meet Steve Bean, chairman of the Ann Arbor Environmental Commission. He's running as an independent against Mayor John Hieftje in the Nov. 2 election. Much of his platform deals with issues of sustainability and the environment, but so far he has run a quiet campaign. We'll have more about him soon on AnnArbor.com.